VW Golf: Driving report from Down Under

Inside, there’s also a familiar ambience and style to the Golf’s cabin.

Pay closer attention, though, and both the exterior and interior are noticeably different – and better.

You shouldn’t have trouble distinguishing the Golfs of now and before. Golf number six features a new, horizontal grille and reshaped headlights, boasts a cleaner side profile (in part thanks to the removal of body bumper strips) and sits on the road with a slightly wider stance, while the rear end has restyled tail-lights, more body colouring and a rear-diffuser-style lower bumper. The overall look is tauter and more masculine.

VW’s claims of improved interior quality also pass the polygraph test. A marshmallow-soft main dash section is complemented by plenty of smooth surface textures in other areas such as the (chrome-ringed) vents and window switch surrounds.